Untitled 2009

Jacob Kassay made this silver painting at an unknown date with an unknown medium. Kassay’s mirrored canvases reflect a self-awareness that can be found across much of American art made since the late 20th century. Artists have been very conscious of the historical contexts and institutional structures that determine how their work is received. Many artists share Kassay’s interest in abstraction and the use of non-traditional materials, they highlight the relationship between the art object and the spaces it inhabits. Does the artwork comment on the structures of its own time? This type of abstraction invites the viewer to see the gallery itself as part of the art. To gain a deeper understanding of the artist’s intentions, we might read interviews with Kassay and reviews of his exhibitions. Only with an understanding of its social and institutional context can we fully appreciate the historical significance of this painting.